Greater Manchester Police
A teenage driver who hit a pedestrian after taking laughing gas has been sentenced to jail.
CCTV footage showed Louisa Tunstall inhaling nitrous oxide on her wheels on the Fiat 500 Fiat 500 in Wigan last May.
Seconds later, she lost control of the car and turned to a 51-year-old woman walking on the sidewalk, seriously hurting her.
The 19-year-old was sentenced to one year and eight months in jail at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday for possession of C-class drugs, driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injuries due to dangerous driving.
She was also denied two years and eight months of driving and ordered an extended test upon release.
Louisa Tunstall initially told police that she took her eyes back from the road – Cavendish Publishing House (Manchester)
Tunstall was driving on Newton Road in Lowton Village at 7 p.m. on May 24, when she turned left to the sidewalk.
After colliding with the woman, the car overturned and caused her life-changing injuries.
After the crash, videos from the patrol vehicle showed that police told Tunstall that there was a suggestion that she had been using controlled drugs.
Tunstall remained silent in the video, and could see his eyes shifted away and fiddled with his fingers.
She initially told the officer that she took her eyes back from the footwell from the road and admitted that she bought nitrous oxide that night.
The court heard the victim was still recovering from a leg injury.
CCTV footage shows Tunstall inhaling nitrous oxide through a balloon while driving a Fiat 500 – Cavendish News (Manchester)
“Every night, I go for a walk and use the same route. I usually walk with my daughter. But, tonight, I walk alone.
“Suddenly, I bumped into it from behind and it made me fall.
“I remember lying on the floor, looking down at my left leg and seeing blood dripping. I looked up at a white car.
“I don't remember feeling any pain. I was asking for help, I felt like I was whispering, and it didn't seem real.”
She added: “When I crossed the collision scene as a passenger, I now have to cover my eyes because I can’t let myself see where it happened.”
Greater Manchester Police's Road Police Department said the use of nitrous oxide has become a recurring factor in the incidents it has occurred.
Tunstall sentenced to one year and eight months in jail at Bolton Crown Court – Triangle News
“It's obvious, it's clear that the catastrophic impact of Tunstall's actions on the victims.
“In this case, the bravery and support of the victim should be investigated and we hope she will continue to maintain her recovery safely in a judicially just situation.
“The judge made it clear that drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide (in this case, if they choose to fall behind, they will give time in prison.
“Having, especially under the influence of nitrous oxide, has similar effects to other drugs and can seriously damage your driving ability.
“Due to the reckless and selfish behaviors that Tunstall shows, there is no excuse to take the lives of others into your hands.”
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